I really loved the whole cadence of this book, which concerns two Sophies - one age 11 and one age 88. The younger Sophie is drawn to the elder, Sophie Gershowitz, because they seem to get each other - I pictured kindred spirits a la Anne of Green Gables. However, Sophie G. seems to be struggling and the younger Sophie is out to prove everyone wrong. In the process she discovers Sophie G.'s story - one that's filled with strength, loss, and determination.

"Sophie Gershowitz has taught me many things. Teaches, I mean. Present tense. I am still learning from her. And I think that learning from each other is one of the most important parts of friendship."

My only caveat with this book is that it seemed too short. I wanted to know more about their relationship, and more about Sophie G. and her history. I get though that this was a middle grade novel and not meant for the average adult attention span or interest level. I'd definitely recommend this one. It would specifically relate to young readers who are dealing with difficult medical situations involving an older person with whom they are close.

Full disclosure—my mom had Alzheimers and my husband currently has Lewy Body dementia. My younger grandkids (ages 4 and 6) explain odd behaviors as “being silly.” The older ones (12-14) know it’s dementia. So this book hit home. I thought the book was wonderful and think kids dealing with a grandparent or parent with dementia would find this book encouraging. So for those whose families who dementia touches, it would be wonderful. It was intuitive from a child’s perspective and touching. And yes, “You have to put in the feelings. That’s the secret. That’s the hard part.” And we all should have t-shirts that says “live long and prosper”.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for the Advanced Review copy.

I haven't read a Lowry in a hot minute and I forgot how much I love her writing. This book was incredible. If you ever teach a WWII novel or you're into WWII literature - YOU NEED THIS BOOK in your life. I cried several times at the simplicity of the three simple words that shape this novel and their profound stories,

This is the story of one best friend named Ralpie who super supports his friend's weird obsession with his dad's medical manuals. This is the story of one super adorable and precocious kid named Oliver who sees the world differently than most. This is the story of TWO Sophies: one older and one young who love each other fiercely and deeply. This is the story of three words that changed all of their lives: Tree. Table. Book.

..."and I get As in history always. I memorize the dates and the names of battles, but..." I didn't complete the sentence and finally, in the silence, she asked, "but what, my darling?"
"Those things aren't enough," I whispered. "You can't feel them. You need the stories."

YOU NEED THESE STORIES!
This is probably my top read of 2023.
Heartbreaking in so many ways, yet totally needed and hopeful.
(As my family is Polish, I appreciated the Polish words and Polish phrases sprinkled into the story as well!)

Lois Lowry is such a talented storyteller! I was thrilled to see she was releasing a new novel. This story has a lot of heavy content (I should have expected that based on her past novels). As an adult, I loved the novel and think it would be excellent to share with my kids but some parents may want to read the story first and ensure the content is suitable for their family.

Thank you so much for my digital copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

A pretty slow burn, but well written and crafted. I appreciate what the story is trying to convey. It's a large topic for a young audience, but ultimately it's not as strong as her previous works.

A young girl learns what it means to be a true friend when her 88 yr old best friend is diagnosed with dementia. This is a sweet story that also gently introduces the reader to the horrors of WWII but in a very light, kid appropriate way, as older Sophie tells younger Sophie three short stories about her childhood.
This book would work well as a read aloud and could be used as a starting off point for some deeper discussions.

I throughly enjoyed reading this book. As a reading teacher, I was enthralled by the creative story-telling and how Lois Lowry wove the young girl's inquisition into allowing the elderly neighbor to tell her past.

A great story to use with students when teaching writing, as well as, history and relationships.

Tree. Table. Book. is a tale of two friends: one young with an old soul, and one elderly who encourages her and equally is encouraged by her. Sophie is 11-years-old, but relates much better to her elderly neighbor, also named Sophie, than to her peers. She does have a few friends her own age, but she loves spending time with her best friend next door, despite their difference in ages. When young Sophie overhears a conversation about her best friend's declining mental acuity, including a possible plan to move her to an assisted living facility, she is angered. She knows that the other Sophie remembers stories so clearly, that surely the adults in her life are mistaken. Therefore, she decides to begin giving her friend a variety of verbal tests to prove that she does not need this drastic measure. Along the way, she learns more of Sophie's history, which opens her eyes to the events which shaped her to be the friend that she is. Tree. Table. Book. is a touching, sometimes devastating, middle-grade novel. Middle school students are reaching an age where their grandparents' health and mental sharpness can sometimes start changing, and it can be hard to understand those changes, especially when they usually remember their childhood and teenage years so clearly. Often, as adults, we wish it had dawned on us in our younger years to ask questions and request stories from the elderly friends and families we take for granted. This story (told with Lowry's ability to grab our emotions with seemingly simple events or descriptions) will hopefully open students' hearts and eyes to the precious moments we have that we might assume will always be there. While most readers will predict the outcome of the Sophie testing, Lowry will still keep them engaged and hopeful.

Highly recommended for grades 5-8.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to read and review this eGalley.

This was so cute. I absolutely adored this story about Sophie and Sophie, two friends decades apart in age. Told from the point of view of the younger Sophie, it felt like a peek into her diary about her life and her friendship with older Sophie. Along the way we get glimpses of deeper issues (aging, dementia, the Holocaust) and younger Sophie’s thoughts on these big topics are poignant. I didn’t love The Giver (I know, I know) so I wasn’t sure I’d like this one but I loved it. Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I think this may be one of those books that is beautiful for an adult reader but isn't as meaningful to the target audience.

However, if you're looking to gently expose a child to the early stages of dementia, reading this book together and discussing it would work very well.

This book took me by surprise. It started out as a sweet story of a young girl and her best friend, who happens to be an elderly neighbor. It turns into such a deep and heartfelt story that broke my heart, but also gave me hope. I loved this book from the first page to the last, and I'm certain that you will too!

Lois Lowry has done it again. Another beautiful novel from a great author. Discussing hard topics in a gentle way. Definitely a great read for anyone child to adult.

Tree. Table. Book. By Lois Lowry tells the story of a young girl named Sophie. Sophie just happens to live in a wonderful community with her parents, friends, and best friend, who is 66 years older than her and has her same name. But one day Sophie overheard her parents talking about her friend Sophie, and this concerns her. This leads to the Sophie’s doing different tests together, while learning more about each other and the community that supports them.

I have always loved Lois Lowry’s books, and was happy to review this one. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review!

This was a fantastic children's book about a friendship between Sophia and Sophia. It briefly touched on WWII in a way children could understand.

This was a sweet book. I love Lois Lowry's books, and this one did not disappoint. I think showing youth with elderly adults, hearing their stories, and experiencing life with them is important. This book scratches the surface of this type of relationship. And the importance of stories.

Sophie, 11-years-old, has a 77-year-old best friend nieghbor, also named Sophie. Younger Sophie overhears her parents talking about older Sophie possibly having to movie away due to declining mental health. Younger Sophie tries to figure out a way to save her best friend from having to leave while uncovering heart felt stories from the past.

This was a quick and easy read. I connected to the characters and would definitely recommend. Another great book from Lois Lowry!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Childrens Books for the ARC.

Lois Lowry always exceeds my expectations and her latest is no exception.
This is a beautiful story about Sophie and Sophie, two neighbors separated in age by more that 70 years. The older Sophie, a Jewish immigrant from Poland, survived World War II and is suffering from dementia. The younger Sophie is learning about life from her.
It's a moving and gratifying story but a sad one that touches upon tough subject matter so should be steered for middle graders. The tale of friendship permeates its pages, making it a story deeply heartfelt.

Honestly, having a family member with dementia, this hit a bit hard to me. It's poigiant and well-done.

Eleven-year-old Sophie’s best friend is her 88-year-old neighbor, Sophie. Sophie learns of her friend’s past through three stories she tells about three words: tree, table, book. This was a lovely story about friendship, acceptance, and letting go.

A beautiful story by Lois Lowry. A bit sad but not too intense for middle grades. A light hand telling survival story of young Polish Jew during WWII told through remembrances of older woman navigating dementia. A story of friendship. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.